TONY BARRETT looks back at the life of LFC legend Emlyn Hughes, who has lost his long battle against cancer

AS THE first Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup, Emlyn Hughes has a special place in the hearts of Reds fans the world over.

The image of the barrel-chested Hughes taking a hold of the massive trophy endures 27 years after the picture was taken at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

If the trophy was the symbol of his club's newfound dominance of Europe, Hughes' beaming smile was the emblem of a man who lived for football and, above all, loved to play for Liverpool.

And yet, Hughes' Liverpool career did not get off to the most auspicious of starts when an encounter with a policeman interrupted his first journey to Anfield.

Legendary Reds boss Bill Shankly was so excited at tying up a deal to bring Hughes from Blackpool to Liverpool that he couldn't wait to get his new prized asset from the Fylde Coast down to his new home on the banks of the River Mersey.

But amid all the excitement Shankly was in a bit too much of a hurry and was spotted speeding along the M6 by an eagle-eyed traffic policeman.

As Shankly pulled his car over he turned to his new signing and told him: "Don't worry son, leave this to me."

The officer tapped on the window, and Shankly wound it down to enquire what the problem was.

When told he had been speeding, the gruff-voiced Scotsman retorted that he was simply ensuring the safe passage of a future England captain to his new home in Liverpool.

Hughes later admitted hearing Shankly describe him in such glowing terms, even as an excuse to escape a likely fine, filled him with pride and instilled in him an instant desire to do everything he could for the man he called "boss".

Of course, he also proved Shankly's words to be prophetic by going on to captain his country on 23 occasions.

Despite being an English footballing hero, Hughes, as his name suggests, had his roots in the Welsh valleys.

His father, Fred, was an acclaimed Rugby League player in Wales before moving his family to Barrow-in-Furness in the twilight of his career.

Emlyn was born in the rugby heartland on August 28, 1947, but from an early age it was clear his heart was set on football.

From an early age he displayed the tenacity, adventure and spirit that would become the hallmark of his time at Liverpool.

After signing for Blackpool Hughes was quickly identified as a future star by Shankly who was putting together a young squad as the likes of Hunt, Yeats and St John neared the end of their Liverpool careers.

An initial bid to bring Hughes to Anfield was rebuffed by the

Blackpool board, but Shankly eventually got his man in March 1967 for a then hefty sum of #65,000.

It did not take long for Hughes to endear himself to the Kop. Effort and determination have always been the most important things a player could display in the eyes of those packed onto the world famous terrace.

And they were two qualities Hughes had in abundance.

He was soon dubbed "Crazy Horse" in tribute to his surging runs upfield which would see him emerge out of defence carrying the ball all the way to the opposition penalty area - at times it seemed nothing could stop him.

Many experts have likened his lung-busting performances to the modern day efforts of Reds skipper Steven Gerrard. The two would happily run through a brick wall for their beloved Liverpool.

Just like Gerrard, Hughes could also play in a number of positions. Equally at home in defence or midfield, the Kop was at its most succinct when it rejoiced: "Come without, come within. You ain't seen nothin' like the mighty Emlyn."

In his thirteen seasons at Anfield Hughes lead Liverpool to the league title, the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup, and in 1977 captained the club to their first European Cup triumph.

In the same season he also picked up the Footballer of the Year award.

A year later Hughes picked up a second European Cup winners medal as Liverpool defeated Belgian champions Bruges at Wembley.

In all he played over 650 games for the Reds, netting 48 goals and won 59 caps for England while he was at Anfield.

When he left Liverpool he joined Wolves for #90,000 and went on to win three more caps for his country.

He also helped the Midlands outfit win the League Cup, the one trophy that had eluded him at Anfield.

Hughes later joined Rotherham as player-manager before becoming a housewives' favourite as the star of BBC TV's A Question of Sport.

His place in the hearts of the nation was recognised in 1980 when he was awarded an OBE.

More than a quarter of a century after he played his last game for the Reds, Hughes is still revered on the Kop.

In a recent poll to find out who the fans thought had been the greatest Liverpool captain of all time, Emlyn Hughes was voted number one.